He stands by my car door, leaning casually with a hip pressed against the frame, his broad arms crossed over his chest where he's wearing only a simple, black t-shirt. He looks so irresistibly handsome it almost breaks my heart. I want to shout out that I don’t want to leave and just want to stay here with him. But I know, and he knows, that Ineedto do this. I have to finish what I’ve started.
I need to do thisfor me.
“So... I won’t be home again until right before Christmas.”
He nods.
“Maybe we can… I don’t know… meet up? It’s only a three-hour drive from here to Houston.”
He nods again. “I think I’ll give you some space to finish what you started without a distraction, Maggie.”
Space...Yeah, sure, that makes sense.
This was always supposed to be just a summer thing anyways…
But the way he’s taken care of me these past few weeks feel like so much more. Hell, the way he’s taken care of me this entire summer feels like more.
“Okay…”
“Your dad said he’s planning on throwing you a graduation party the week before Christmas. I’ll be there waiting for you.”
I nod, and we stand there in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us.
Waiting for you...what does that mean?
“Clay—” I begin, but he steps forward, wrapping me gently in his embrace. He pulls me close, pressing his lips to my forehead with a firm, lingering kiss that silents me. I can feel his breath as he takes in my scent, holding me tightly.
“You don’t have to say anything. It was a great summer. Thebestsummer I’ve ever had. All because of the time that I spent with you. It’s time for you to leave now. Finish your degree. Live your life to the fullest. I'll be here. Waiting.”
I nod against his chest though that’s the furthest thing from what I want to do. “Yeah, okay,” I mumble.
He opens the driver’s side door after taking my bags and tossing them into the back. I slide in, start the engine, and begin to drive away, with a heavy heart, only checking my rearview mirror once to watch the man I swore I’d never fall for again.
It was a summer I’d never forget, and one that I’d dream of for years to come because I didn’t just fall for Clay, I fell in love with him.
Chapter 34 – Clay
December?
“Is this going to be weird for you?” Jovie asks, glancing over at me as I grip the light blue box with tiny blue bows on it a little tighter.
“Nah, not at all.” And that’s the truth. I’ve settled my demons. Made peace with the past and this is the remaining step to give Savannah closure. I don’t need it, but from what Jovie’s shared, it sounds like she might.
She smiles, looping her arms around my waist in a half hug. “I’m happy for you. Are you excited to see Maggie tonight?”
Excited doesn’t even cover it. Maggie’s coming home from school for her graduation party tonight. She’s missed everything—Halloween, Thanksgiving, her twenty-first birthday, the autumn harvest at Cameron ranch, and my return to the fighting ring.
Winter’s here now, mild as it is, and I can’t wait to finally see her and hopefully, have her back.
I’d run into McKenna at the Co-op a few weeks ago, and she’d mentioned Maggie had officially accepted the job at the hospital in Lonestar Junction. Maggie hadn’t told me herself yet, but ifthat was true, it meant she’d be coming back. For good. At least, that’s what I’m hoping.
“I can’t wait,” I sigh as Jovie smiles again.
“Y’all make a great couple.”
Before I can respond to that, the door swings open, and there stands my ex-girlfriend, Savannah, her arms full of two tiny, identical babies.
“Jovie, Clay! Get in here!” she squeals, handing one of the babies off to Jovie with a quick hug, then wrapping her free arm around me.
